Mequon-Thiensville superintendent named to national group

Mequon-Thiensville School District Superintendent Demond Means has been appointed as a commissioner to the Education Commission of the States, the district announced Wednesday.

ECS, which was started in 1965, is a bipartisan organization that assists state policymakers on educational issues. Its current chair is Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty.

As a commissioner, Means will have a role in helping to guide the organization's policy direction, set an agenda for its annual education forum and ensure its work is timely and relevant, according to a news release from the district.

"It is a true pleasure to be selected for the commission," Means said in the news release. "I plan on taking full advantage of my time with the Education Commission by using its wide range of resources to help the students, teachers and staff of our local schools and schools across our state and country."

According to the ECS website, Wisconsin's other commissioners are Gov. Jim Doyle, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Evers, state Sen. John Lehman, state Rep. Sondy Pope-Roberts and state Sen. Luther Olsen, who is also a member of the organization's steering committee.